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Maxxon XSB-390 River Raft
Overview
Maxxon River Raft XSB-390 Thirteen Foot Performance Model
This raft has an integral 6” thick drop stitch floor, creating a smooth bottom that allows currents to slide underneath with minimal effect on the boat. The measurements are 12’9” long, 6’2” wide with thwarts installed, or 6'1" without (32" inside width), with 20” tubes for the shallowest possible draft and the best possible handling. Up to now it has come with three thwarts standard, so this is a very worthy choice in a great priced six person paddle raft. Maxxon has gone back and forth a couple times as to whether they may only ship these with two thwarts, but if we find out this is the case we will update this text. The weight is 115 pounds with all the thwarts in, or about 104 without. With the 9" bow and stern rocker it is also a fine angler’s driftboat, and the drop stitch floor provides a smooth surface for passengers to cast from even if you don’t use a fishing frame with decks. There are three main aire chambers, plus the floor & thwarts.
Maxxon River Raft XSB-390 Features
This raft and all the other Maxxons now have welded seams. Prior to 2019 all Maxxon boats had been glued and averaged about a 13 year lifepsn, give or take a year. Now, that number should be more like 25 years. Other features include a full wrap floor, Leafield C-7 valves, batten mounted removable thwarts, six lift handles, and fourteen stainless steel D-rings. Ten of the fourteen D-s are mounted at the mid point on the tubes, but the other four are mounted up higher near the bow and stern. This configuration, among other possibilities, allows for easy attachment of a suspended rear cargo deck. Cargo decks would be important for multi-day trips since the fairly high rocker on this XSB-390 model precludes even shorter two-bay frames (unless you sit on the cooler). A standard 68” long Bighorn I frame will fit, and a shorter outfitter frame where you sit on the cooler will work too. The frame chafers are 79" long on the last one we measuered.
Maxxon River Raft XSB-390 Drop Stitch Floor
The Maxxon six inch flat floor at 6 p.s.i. provides good resistance to bending and, combined with the large side tubes, a high load capacity. The fully adhered floor is also superior to the partially secured designs of the older NRS imports, and Saturns, which use attachments on the undersides of the drop stitch pad that allow water to billow underneath. Water cannot pool underneath the drop-stitch pad on the Maxxon.
Maxxon River Raft XSB-390 Advantages
Another advantages of the Maxxon 390 is that it has a smoother transition where the bow & stern start to rise, compared to some of the more angular bow & sterns on competing imports. Overall, for equal money, the Maxxon pretty well blows away other rafts in this price range and it will out-handle the majority of the other thirteen footers regardless of price. This factory has been producing high volumes of marine inflatables for Maxxon for some time, so although this raft is new, the production facility has been at it for a long time.
One noteworthy caveat to mention on the 390 is that the bail holes are a bit minimal, so drain times are longer compared to other rafts in the 13' range.
There are some newer color combos that include an attractive orange/medium gray two tone, with two-tone grays, medium blue, and lime as options. Always have a second color choice. Although this boat is plenty light enough for UPS, the boxed size is over their 130" girth limit, so shipping can be steep, especially if it needs to go to a residential address. Call or email for a quote, and provide your zip code.